Chicago-based Feralloy Corp., a subsidiary of Reliance Steel and Aluminum Co., has formed a joint venture with custom-roll-formed products maker Pyramid Mouldings to provide complete solutions for the growing western solar market. The joint venture will be known as Feralloy Pyramid Structural Solutions.

The companies will work together in the design and development of standard and proprietary solar mounting systems for large-scale utility and commercial projects on a regional and national scale. The primary objective of the joint venture is to become the most logistically cost-effective solution for the solar industry. The venture will combine the engineering and roll-forming expertise of Pyramid with the strength of Feralloy's material acquisition and processing, the companies claim.

The first phase is scheduled for early fall, with the primary manufacturing facility located within the Feralloy Western Division in Stockton, Calif. This move will support the emerging solar industry in the West by optimizing logistics costs as the joint venture supplies parts and kitted solar solutions directly to customers at their facilities and job sites, say company officials.